Well it was the year Don Mclean released his hit song "American Pie"! Ok will save you the effort of looking it up. Are you humming that loved tune now. ... "We were singing bye bye Mrs. American Pie..." That would be back in 1971. Playing for pennies with friends and family during holiday gathers.
Unfortunately I had a person who guided me late even though I already had knowledge and I always asked him to teach me but then at 22 I was finally able to learn and start playing in the best way